Janna: In my mind, it was our Fall 2012 semester in our Many Faces of Christianity, but Nick likes to say that he met me freshman year and I intimidated him. We both participated in Nykerk at Hope College that fall and we started talking on Facebook after seeing each other a few times. I accidentally gave him the wrong phone number, and that was a mess. It all worked itself out and eventually we went on a coffee date. That led to study dates in Lubbers Hall and my family can testify that we texted nonstop during winter break. I still remember when we admitted to liking each other. It’s crazy that it was over 5 years ago! Nick: She yelled at me when we first met! But really, I got her name wrong during a game of ultimate frisbee put on by our RA's. This was back during our freshman year at Hope. Luckily, we had the same class the following year, Many Faces of Christianity. I remember her sitting across the room from me, always wearing a scarf. Like probably 2/3 classes she had one. And she'd always fall asleep too. It was pretty cute. Plus she was one of my Song Girls during Nykerk that year! Once I had mustered up the courage to ask for her phone number, I had waited a day or two till I texted her, asking what she was up to and how she was doing. She said something along the lines of "I'm doing well. Thanks for asking" followed immediately by "I love you". Needless to say, I was a little confused and asked whoever this was if it was Janna. It wasn't. She had given me the wrong number! All the courage and confidence I had built up was pretty much blown to bits. Then to really mess with my head, she was still talking to me when I would see her around! Talk about head games. One day during the next week or two I asked her about her number again and found out the one she gave me was off by one digit. With my confidence restored, I asked her out for coffee and a walk around Windmill Island. She said yes and that's where our story together began!

Janna: I think I knew this was it before Nick did. Or at least that I was done dating! Nick likes to say we are a mix between the sayings “birds of a feather” and “opposites attract.” We are alike and different in just the right ways. One of the first things I noticed about Nick was how much he loved his family. On one of our first dates he started talking about games he would play with his brothers and going up north to spend days at the lake with his grandparents; he was so animated explaining them to me. It really translates into how he cares for me. Nick taught me how to play the card game Euchre, and my friends were astounded at his patience (especially with my dumb questions and indecision.) He is still patient with my indecisiveness in everything. Maybe the only time I wasn’t indecisive was with him. I think I decided 3 months in that I was done for. We love grocery shopping together; partially because I love food and new things, partially, I think, because Nick loves my joy at the mundane. I mean who doesn’t like cleverly packaged goods or a miniature pineapple?! We genuinely enjoy doing “nothing” together! We love each other because of the daily things and I knew he was the one because how he cared for me. Nick: Well Janna decided to use my analogy, which is definitely the best way to describe us! So many of our values and morals are alike, but we come from different backgrounds. But in regards to what I love most about her, it's definitely how much she cares for those around her. She's got the biggest heart and would do anything for her family and friends. I especially remember seeing it on display while she was an RA our sophomore year. She would often forget about herself looking after those around her. Getting to spend the rest of my life with someone like that is a lot for me try and reciprocate but she's definitely worth it!

Janna: About 5 years later... I can’t lie and say that I hadn’t mentioned getting engaged. I really didn’t think he was going ask to until next year though! Nick suggested we go geocaching in Holland on October 28th. When we drove out to the lake, I definitely made fun of Nick for wanting to carry a camera tripod around (now it’s my own fault I don't have proposal photos.) But Nick needed a beer and food, so we stopped downtown; surprisingly I didn’t notice his nerves. It was blustery at the beach when we started looking for the geocache, and I was looking in all the wrong places. Nick had an agenda to keep, so he had to point me in the right direction! As soon as I found the note, I realized what was happening and I think my heart skipped a beat. It’s all a blur now (the adrenaline really starts pumping), but he took my hand, got down on one knee, and started speaking. It was sentimental and personal. It was only afterwards that I really noticed the ring, and it was just right for me. He surprised me and told me that no one else knew, but when we showed up at the restaurant both our families were already gathered! Even my sister was there from college, and she made me tear up again! It was the perfect day for us. Nick: Through a geocache! Much later than Janna would have preferred, but it still happened. I had planned for us to go out and find this geocache that I had set up at Kouw Park. With a note, not the ring. We were going to go out as Mr. & Mrs. Fox for Halloween that night, so the note I made for her read "Mrs. Fox, I believe there is something missing from your costume." That's when I asked her. I had practiced some lines that I would say, but I don't remember if I actually said them. Once I got down on a knee, it was all sort of a blur with a lot of words. But she cried and I cried and she said yes! I had planned a surprise dinner with our families afterwards to celebrate at a restaurant nearby. It very well could've been the greatest moment of my life.